Dallas Powell-Giles Assistant Village Manager, Brockman 4 Village
Not Linear: From Receptionist to Assistant Village Manager
Dallas’ journey began straight out of high school as a receptionist. At just 18, she joined Sodexo, originally applying for a service attendant role. But during her interview, the Talent Acquisition Consultant recognised her administration background and offered her an admin position instead.
“That moment shaped the direction of my career,” Dallas reflects.
She started at Wintamarra Village, surrounded by strong female leaders who nurtured her attention to detail and love for administration. Just nine months later, she stepped into her first leadership role as an Administration Leading Hand at Gudai-Darri Village during the height of COVID-19 - an experience that shaped her leadership approach.
From there, Dallas progressed to Administration Supervisor for the Upper East Region in the Pilbara, leading a team of four to six people in construction camps - a challenging but formative chapter in her career. She later moved into a Duty Manager role and then Assistant Village Manager.
Her move to Brockman 4 Village under the mentorship of Grant Vink marked another turning point.
“He encouraged me to be authentic, step out of my shell, and trust myself as a young leader.”
Grant reflects on that period of growth:
“In our time together, I witnessed Dallas find her true identity as a leader, and the growth that followed has been exponential. She is a role model for our younger generation of leaders, maintaining an unrelenting drive to improve, never being afraid to fail and learn from those around her.
Dallas does this while keeping a strong focus on our people and a genuine curiosity across all facets of our business. She is a credit to herself and to Sodexo’s leadership pathways, and I look forward to seeing more ‘Dallas’s’ emerge in the future.”
Two years on, Dallas still smiles when boarding the plane each swing.
“I truly love my job. Every challenge and every mistake hasve shaped who I am today, and I’m proud of all of it.”
Celebrating Women in Operational Environments
Working in a traditionally male-dominated operational environment was new for Dallas but ultimately empowering.
“When I first started, Rio Tinto had just launched the Everyday Respect initiative. I saw a genuine shift in culture, and that foundation has continued to grow.”
While she’s experienced, challenges earlier in her career, she says those moments strengthened her resilience and reinforced her commitment to creating safe, respectful environments.
“I’ve always felt encouraged to speak up and contribute. That support has made a huge difference in my development as a young leader.”
Dallas believes women bring invaluable strengths to village leadership:
- Attention to detail that elevates operations and resident experience
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Emotional intelligence that fosters psychologically safe teams
- Resilience and adaptability in high-pressure environments
“In village life, where people live and work away from home, empathy and connection really matter.”
Not Limited: Leading with Heart
Dallas describes her leadership style simply:
“I lead with heart.”
She is coaching-focused, supportive, and driven by seeing others grow. She prioritises professionalism, empathy, and ensuring people feel heard.
One of her proudest achievements at Brockman 4 village has been building strong relationships with Rio Tinto and stepping confidently into areas outside her comfort zone, particularly learning kitchen operations alongside Head Chef; Sonia Messina.
Sonia has witnessed that growth firsthand:
“Dallas has demonstrated significant growth in her leadership capabilities. She consistently provides exceptional support to the catering team, and her presence and commitment make her a valuable asset to the business, particularly as a strong leader within our organisation.”
Stepping forward after her mentor’s departure was another defining milestone.
“It showed me I could stand on my own and trust my abilities.”
Not Done: Resilience as a Strength
Dallas also speaks openly about her experience with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), something she views as a strength in leadership.
“In high-pressure situations, my brain becomes sharp and solution driven. I often produce my best work when the pressure is on.”
Leading in fast-paced construction villages helped her channel that ability into adaptability, clarity and calm decision-making.
“Instead of being overwhelmed, I rise to the occasion.”
Advice for Women Considering FIFO
Her advice?
“Do it. FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) is a whole new world, and you’ll fall in love with the people and the environment. Bring care and support to your team, especially frontline staff. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
At this stage of her career, Dallas already considers herself successful.
“Success is a mindset. I’m happy, fulfilled, and proud of my journey.”
Her next goal? Stepping into a Village Manager role and continuing to develop future leaders.
